Information For

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (F.E.R.P.A.)

What is F.E.R.P.A.?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (also called the Buckley Amendment) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student educational records. Educational records as defined by F.E.R.P.A. are those records, with certain exceptions, that are maintained by Plattsburgh State University, which include a student's name or students' names on them. These include files, documents, and materials in any medium (i.e. electronic, handwritten, print, tapes, film, microfilm, microfiche), which contain information directly related to students and from which students can be individually identified.

What is Directory Information?

Directory information is information contained in an educational record that would not be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released. Directory information at Plattsburgh State University includes, but is not limited to, the student's name, address, telephone listing, electronic mail address, photograph, date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, class schedule, grade level, enrollment status, (e.g. undergraduate or graduate; full-time or part-time), participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees, honors and awards received, and the most recent educational agency or institution attended.
Social security numbers, student identification numbers (i.e. Banner id), race, ethnicity, nationality, and gender are NEVER considered directory information and may not be released.

Can I Protect my Directory Information?

Students have the right to prevent disclosure of any or all of their directory information. Those students who wish confidentiality must notify the Registrar in writing. The Registrar will flag the student's record on Banner so that other computer users will see a confidentiality warning when the student's record is accessed electronically. Plattsburgh State assumes that failure on the part of any student to specifically request in writing the withholding of categories of directory information indicates individual approval for disclosure. Once confidentiality is requested, the student is responsible for informing the Registrar of any changes to that request.

What Student Information can be Released without my (the Student's) Consent?

The law allows disclosure without consent to:

With few exceptions provided by law, only directory information may be released to any outside source not officially connected to Plattsburgh State University.

No further information will be released without the written consent of the student. Absolutely no transcript will be released outside the college without the student's signed authorization. No information concerning a student's grades will be released over the telephone.

The student's written consent is not required for the disclosure of grades, disciplinary action and other information to parents who have established that student's status as dependent (IRS Code of 1954, Section 152). If proof of dependency is not available in the student's financial aid records, parents requesting information must request in writing and submit proof of legal dependency, or provide written consent from the student.

Student Rights

Students (or eligible parents) have the right to inspect and review the student's educational records. The University is not obligated to provide copies of the records, unless distance or other circumstances make it impossible for the student or parents to view the records in person. The University may charge a fee for copies.
Students do not have a right to see financial information submitted by parents; confidential letters and papers related to admissions, employment, job placement or honors to which a student has waived the right of inspection and review; or educational records that contain information about other students such as grades or test scores.

F.E.R.P.A. and Parents

All rights to student educational records transfer from parents to student when the student reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the secondary level. Parents may access student records if the student is claimed as a dependent for Federal income tax purposes. Under such circumstances access is granted to both parents, whether or not both are claiming. If neither parent claims the student as a dependent, parents may have access only if the student is willing to release the information. Such a release must be made in writing to the registrar's office.

Students' Right to File a Complaint

Any student alleging failure of the college to comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act may file a complaint with:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605
Contact Information

For more information, please contact the Registrar's Office:

Phone: (518) 564-2100
Toll-Free Phone: (800) 570-1634
Fax: (518) 564-4900
E-mail: registrar@plattsburgh.edu

Mailing Address:

The Office of the Registrar
Plattsburgh State University of New York
101 Broad St
Plattsburgh, NY 12901

This is an official publication of Plattsburgh State

Copyright © 1996-2006 Plattsburgh State 101 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 Phone: (518) 564-2000